Prairie Meadows announced today that it has awarded $5 million to 21 Greater Des Moines organizations through its Legacy Grants program. In total, Prairie Meadows has committed a record amount of $38.1 million in charitable donations to the community this year.

“As a nonprofit organization, Prairie Meadows fulfills its mission by giving back to organizations that support arts and culture, education, economic development, and human services,” said Julie Stewart, vice president of community relations with Prairie Meadows.

In 1989, Prairie Meadows entered into a partnership with Polk County to support vital arts, culture, health care, education and infrastructure initiatives across Central Iowa as a nonprofit casino and racetrack.

In its 32 years of community betterment contributions, Prairie Meadows has provided more than $2 billion in charitable giving and tax revenue back to the community. “To truly have the most impact within Central Iowa, Prairie Meadows sees our role as vital to extending our charitable giving power to the ones who need it most,” said Gary Palmer, president and CEO of Prairie Meadows.

The organizations that will receive Legacy Grant awards and their amounts are:

Anawim Housing – $350,000
Beacon of Life – $175,000
Des Moines Area Religious Council – $250,000
Des Moines East High School Alumni Foundation – $150,000
Des Moines Independent Community School District – $300,000
Des Moines University – $100,000
Drake University – $275,000
Ducks Unlimited Inc. (Mid-Iowa Chapter) – $140,000
Food Bank of Iowa – $250,000
Great Outdoors Foundation – $300,000
Hope Ministries – $375,000
Iowa Soccer Development Foundation Inc. – $186,000
Oakridge Neighborhood Services – $159,000
On with Life Foundation – $275,000
Polk County ConservationBoard – $175,000
Prairie Meadows Scholarship Program – $100,000
Roosevelt High School Foundation – $150,000
St. Vincent de Paul – $75,000
Urban Dreams – $115,000
Wesley Community Services Inc. – $500,000
Youth & Shelter Services Inc. – $600,000

More information on Prairie Meadows’ charitable contributions can be found on its See Our Impact page.